Tigers down depleted Dragons
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HOLLIDAYSBURG -- Hollidaysburg beat Friday's playoff opponent, Taylor Allderdice, 42-0, in Week 2 of the regular season.
A significant number of players from that game opted not to play and did not make the trip from Pittsburgh, resulting in another mercy-rule win for the Golden Tigers.
"Their coach said a number of their guys decided to hang it up for the year. Credit to those guys that played. They gutted it out. Tremendous leadership by them. They're better people for it," Hollidaysburg coach Homer DeLattre said.
Hollidaysburg stormed out to a 27-0 lead with four first-quarter touchdowns on its way to a 41-8 win in the D6-8-9-10 Class 5A semifinals at Tiger Stadium.
The competitive portion of the game ended early as Hollidaysburg started subbing after the opening drive.
The Tigers ran the ball most of the night, throwing just three passes. Hollidaysburg outgained the Dragons 154-7 in the first quarter.
"Once we had that first drive, we started rotating guys in and out," DeLattre. "Our goal in the postseason is to run the ball. That's what you've gotta do -- run the ball, stop the run and be efficient in the passing game."
Player of the game: Hollidaysburg's Mitchell Baronner ran for 144 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries.
Plays of the game: After ripping off runs of 13 and 17 yards on the opening possession, Baronner scored on a 4-yard run. He followed that up with runs of 10 and 15 yards before scoring from 1-yard out on the second possession.
"I can't take any of the credit,'' Baronner said. "It's all them (the offensive line). They get a great push, create the openings. That's how I'm able to run so well."
One play after an Allderdice turnover on downs later in the first quarter, quarterback Maddox Bainey hit Brady Steiner in the back corner for an 18-yard touchdown.
Baronner capped Hollidaysburg's scoring for the night with a 57-yard TD run, breaking through the middle, splitting the safeties and outracing them to the end zone.
Unsung heroes: Right tackle Wyatt Maines leads an offensive line that has propelled the offense all season.
Maines: "Our O-line is getting better every game. We're putting the work in. When we play the right way with the right fundamentals, we'll run the ball for 150-plus yards every game."
Sophomore Joey Richardson had a pair of sacks in the first half.
Richardson: "The hole opened up. I saw the quarterback and went after him."
Notes: With Hollidaysburg leading 41-0 at halftime, the running clock was in effect the entire second half, and both coaches agreed to reduce the third and fourth quarters from 12 to 8 minutes.
Allderdice coach Mark Matson: "I asked for that. I wanna make sure they stay healthy, too. They're a very good team. I hope to see those guys go far. Their coach is a classy guy, and the kids are as nice as can be. I love a program like that."
Records: Allderdice (5-6), Hollidaysburg (10-1).
Next week: Allderdice's season is completed. Hollidaysburg hosts DuBois in the District D6-8-9-10 5A championship game.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Allderdice 0 0 0 8 -- 8
Hollidaysburg 27 14 0 0 -- 41
First Quarter
H--Baronner 4 run (Wedel kick), 10:22.
H--Baronner 1 run (Wedel kick), 5:32.
H--White 4 run (kick failed), 2:58.
H--Steiner 18 pass from Bainey (Wedel kick), 1:45.
Second Quarter
H--Muth 2 run (Wedel kick), 9:07.
H--Baronner 57 run (Wedel kick), 2:47.
Fourth Quarter
A--Turner 95 pass from Redman (Venson run), 3:03.
TEAM STATISTICS A H
First downs 8 10
Total yards 162 267
Rushes-yards 18-(-14) 31-241
Yards passing 176 26
Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 9-23-1 3-3-0
Punts-avg. 2-31.0 1-39.0
Fumbles-lost 6-1 0-0
Penalties-yards 10-50 6-50
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--Allderdice, Ford 5(-22), Scott 5-12, Lee 1-(-2), Turner 4-16, Redman 1-(-11), Venson 1-8, TEAM 1-(-15). Hollidaysburg, Baronner 12-144, White 4-47, Muth 5-22, DeLattre 1-8, Kordish 5-15, Wallace 1-(-5), Morningstar 2-16, Rodgers 1-(-6).
PASSING--Allderdice, Ford 8-19-1-81, Redman 1-2-0-95. Hollidaysburg, Bainey 3-3-0-26.
RECEIVING--Allderdice, Reynolds 4-43, Lee 2-18, Stead 1-11, Lane 1-9, Turner 1-95. Hollidaysburg, DeLattre 1-6, Albarano 1-2, Steiner 1-18.